How to Improve Water Pressure

Ken Cestari asks,

I have low water pressure in the home, and I’m pretty sure it’s due to the fact that the water line from the street is more than 50 years old and is galvanized steel. The opening has likely shrunk from 3/4″ to 3/8″. Currently, the water pressure is acceptable if only one point of usage is opened but I can’t do a load of laundry and take a shower at the same time, or water the lawn and do the dishes simultaneously. Outside of replacing this pipe is there a pump or similar device I can install to either increase the pressure for the whole house or even just a bathroom?

Our Answer

Unfortunately, nothing short of replacing the old galvanized steel pipe makes a lot of sense. Galvanized steel piping rusts inward and since its 50+ years old, its best to replace it before it becomes an emergency situation.

If that underground pipe were to break while you were away, or during a winter storm or a whole host of situations like that, the repair would be 3 times as much. Plus, any problem resulting from the slow degradation of the pipes may not covered by homeowner insurance policies and could fall squarely on your shoulders.

My advice is the replace the galvanized service entry (main) pipe and as much of the interior pipe as you can get to. Better safe than sorry!